Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have been reunited with their grandfather King Charles after four years apart. The long-awaited family reunion represents a significant development in the ongoing relationship between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the royal household.According to PEOPLE magazine, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their two children on Friday, July 10. The reunion took place at Highgrove House, the monarch’s private residence in Gloucestershire, England. No images are expected to be released from the occasion, and no further details have been given, as the gathering was held as a private family meeting.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have reportedly welcomed Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their children for a private gathering at Highgrove House. Image credit (Instagram).
The gathering marked the first personal meeting between Prince Archie, 7, Princess Lilibet, 5, and their grandfather, 77, in four years.
The past time for children in the United Kingdom
Archie and Lilibet were raised in California, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved after stepping back as working members of the royal family in 2020. The children were last in their father’s homeland in June 2022 when they visited to attend Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, although Archie and Lilibet did not appear at any public events during that trip.The then-Prince Charles and Camilla previously spent time with his grandchildren during the 2022 visit to the United Kingdom, which marked the first time when Charles met Lilibet, who was born after the family moved to California. A royal source at the time expressed the importance of that meeting. “It was a wonderful visit. The prince was delighted to see his grandson and meet his grandson for the first time. It’s great to have the Duke and Duchess of Sussex back in the UK,” the insider said.
The birthplace and celebration of Princess Lilibet
Princess Lilibet was born in the United States in June 2021. Her parents celebrated her first birthday during their 2022 United Kingdom trip with a “casual, intimate backyard picnic” at their former home during the Platinum Jubilee visit.
Prince Harry’s visit to the UK
The reunion comes during Prince Harry’s visit to the United Kingdom, which began on July 6. The Duke originally traveled to Britain alone for a series of charity engagements, including events marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. While it was initially announced that Meghan and the children would join her on her visit, security concerns have complicated the plans.It was later announced that Harry would return to London without his family, although the possibility of them traveling to other parts of the United Kingdom outside the capital remained open. It was reported on July 9 that Meghan, Archie and Lilibet will travel to the UK, although they are not expected to make any public appearances during their time in the country.
Reunion day activities:
Prince Harry and King Charles each stepped out separately earlier on Friday ahead of the reunion. Harry took part in trials for some of the sports that will be staged at the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, located about 85 miles away from Highgrove House. Meanwhile, the monarch visited Oxfordshire, which is located about 50 miles from Highgrove House.
Prince William’s unusual activity
In the same timeframe, Prince William played in a charity polo match in Windsor on Friday, supported by his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales. According to available information, there are no known plans for the estranged brothers to reunite during Harry’s visit to the United Kingdom.
The previous meeting between Prince Harry and King Charles
Prince Harry was last reunited with his father during a visit to the United Kingdom in September 2025. The Duke of Sussex was spotted arriving by car at Clarence House, the King’s London residence and spending approximately 55 minutes inside before leaving, marking the latest documented meeting between the two men before this latest reunion involving the grandchildren.